SameSex Kiss Day is a reaction to comments last month from Dan Cathy, whosaid he supported "the biblical definition of the family unit" and thatbackers of gay marriage were "arrogant."

Carly McGehee, a Dallaspolitical activist who came up with the idea of the kiss-in, said morethan 15,000 people have said they will join the protest since she postedan announcement on her Facebook page on July 19.

Cathy's company"is continuously supporting hate and bigotry and intolerance," saidMcGehee, 24. "He has the right to do that, but he has to be prepared forthe backlash, for the repercussions. This is America."

Customerswho backed Cathy's stance swamped Chick-fil-A outlets on Wednesday,giving the 1,600-store chain - known for chicken sandwiches, wafflefries and being closed on Sundays - a "record-setting day," a spokesmansaid on Thursday.

"Consumers andcommunities have every right to speak up when a company's presidentaccuses them of ‘inviting God's wrath' by treating their LGBT friends,neighbors and family members with respect," GLAAD President HerndonGraddick said in a statement.

Steve Robinson, a Chick-fil-Aspokesman, said in a statement about the "kiss-in" that the chain's goalwas "to provide great food, genuine hospitality and to have a positiveinfluence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A."

MarciAlt, 48, of Atlanta, has started an online petition calling for Cathy tocome to her home for dinner with her family, including her partner of12 years and their two children.

"I thought I would take adifferent approach, and try the good old-fashioned way and sit down andtalk," she said. Alt will also be among those protesting at the chain'sDecatur, Georgia, site.